The Missions Podcast

In this insightful episode, Michael Niebauer, pastor and director of Heritage Mission, delves into the heart of Christian missions. He eloquently discusses the essential elements of virtuous practice, proclamation, and gathering in missions, redefining skilled missionary work as following Christ rather than just mastering techniques. Niebauer also critically evaluates three popular models of missions, offering profound insights into their effectiveness and alignment with biblical principles. Michael Niebauer is the author of Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Mission, a Christianity Today Book Award finalist and Outreach Magazine’s 2022 Missional Resource of the Year. Michael holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Duquesne University, specializing in Christian Ethics and Missiology. He contributes regularly to Christian journals and hosts the Christian catechesis podcast  Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. The Missions Podcast is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What does the study of ethics have to do with the missionary task? Everything, according to this week’s guest, Dr. Michael Niebauer, author of Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Christian Mission. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing reality of Christian persecution in Nigeria. Our guest, Judd Saul, brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the recent Christmas attacks in Plateau State, where scores of Christians were brutally massacred. As we unpack the details of these attacks, we explore the complex web of religious, political, and social factors that contribute to the ongoing strife in this region. Our conversation extends beyond the surface, examining the underlying causes of these attacks, particularly the role of radicalized groups and the response of the Nigerian government. Judd’s firsthand experience offers a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Nigerian Christians and the resilience they exhibit in the face of adversity. Judd Saul, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, family man, entrepreneur, and dedicated missionary, has been profoundly involved in Nigeria since a transformative mission trip in 2011 with his grandfather, Duane Wessels. Married to Sherry and a father to five children, Judd has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by Nigerian Christians. He has committed over a decade to ministering in Nigeria, visiting 3-4 times annually. Recognizing the escalating attacks on Christians and the limited response from existing missions, Judd founded Equipping the Persecuted, a proactive organization supported by a team of experienced pastors, missionaries, and supporters. This organization focuses on both prevention and aftercare for persecuted Christians, establishing a local, effective response to the crisis in Nigeria. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Coming up this week: We talk with an expert on Christian persecution in Nigeria about the state of the church in Nigeria and beyond. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Join Scott and Alex for a profound discussion with ABWE’s own Tim Bertolet, focusing on the motivations in ministry: are we seeking personal glory or glorifying the Lord? Delving into Martin Luther’s distinction between the theology of glory and the theology of the cross, this episode examines its impact on evangelical missions and Christian living. We’ll explore how this theology shapes our ministry approach, why it’s often overlooked in seminary education, and practical steps for believers to embrace it in their lives. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Coming this week: Scott and Alex sit down with ABWE’s own Tim Bertolet to explore an ever-important topic—our motivations in ministry. Are we boasting in ourselves, or in the Lord? And what can we learn from Martin Luther’s paradigm of a theology of glory versus a theology of the cross? Tune in on Sunday night to find out. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. The Missions Podcast is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

The tradition is back! In this compelling episode, Chris Howles of For Every Nation joins the discussion to unveil his top 10 missions books to read in 2024. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone engaged in or interested in missions, offering insights that blend deep theological understanding with practical application in the mission field. A must-listen for those seeking to deepen their grasp of global missionary endeavors. 40 Questions About the Great Commission by Daniel Akin, Benjamin Merkle & George Robinson (Kregel Academic, 2020) The Sending Church Defined – 2nd edition by Bradley Bell (Upstream Collective, 2020) Global Humility: Attitudes for Mission by Andy McCullough (Malcolm Down Publishing Ltd, 2017) Global Christianity: A Guide to the World’s Largest Religion from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe by Gina Zurlo (Zondervan, 2022) Apostolic Imagination: Recovering a Biblical Vision for the Church's Mission Today by J. D. Payne (Baker Academic, 2022) Re-imagining Short-Term Missions Edited by Forrest Inslee & Angel Burns (Wipf and Stock, 2022) Reading Hebrews Missiologically: The Missionary Motive, Message, and Methods of Hebrews Edited by Abeneazer G. Urga, Edward L. Smither, & Linda P. Saunders (William Carey Publishing, 2023) Mission Between the Times by C. René Padilla (Langham Books, 2010) Migration and the Making of Global Christianity by Jehu J. Hanciles (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2021) Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock: A Theology of Religions by Daniel Strange (Zondervan, 2015) Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Coming up this week: Our friend Chris Howles returns to the show to count down his top ten missiological books for 2024 and what they have to say to the global church. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. The Missions Podcast is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

In this special Christmas episode of The Missions Podcast, we take a moment to reflect on the past year, celebrating God’s unwavering guidance and the impactful conversations that have touched our hearts and minds. We revisit the best episodes of the year, shedding light on the valuable lessons and inspiring experiences that have deepened our understanding of missions. The episode also delves into the most significant global changes affecting missions, exploring their implications for ministry. We share the personal lessons God has taught us this year, which have enriched our faith and dedication to his work. Our Christmas meditations bring into focus the enduring hope and joy we find in Christ, the heart of our celebration. Looking ahead with excitement to 2024, we eagerly anticipate what God has in store for us. Join us in this episode as we honor the birth of our Savior and prepare for another year of commitment to the mission. To download this year’s globally focused Christmas devotional from the team at ABWE, click here. Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

Coming up this week’s Christmas roundup: We debrief the past year of podcasts, including… times when Alex and Scott didn’t see eye to eye? We know it’s shocking. Tune in Sunday at 7 p.m. to have all your questions answered. Believe in our mission? Support the show at missionspodcast.com/support. The Missions Podcast is a ministry resource of ABWE. Learn more at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.